Thoughts on the book of Acts (180) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
Acts 25:1-8

Thoughts on the book of Acts (180)
The new governor Festus enjoyed a better reputation than his predecessor Felix. Only three days after taking office, he paid a visit to the leaders of the people in Jerusalem. The latter attempted to exploit his ignorance of the matter in hand and secretly planned an attempt on Paul's life. However, Festus summoned the accusers to appear in Caesarea.
There the case was promptly taken up. A host of serious accusations were made by Paul's enemies, none of which they could prove however. From Paul's reply, it can be deduced that basically it was a question of the old complaints that even Felix could not regard as justified.
Paul testified also before Festus that he had not offended the Jewish law given by God nor desecrated the temple. It was the political reproach that was particularly grave. Yet Paul could refute any offence against Caesar or the state with a clear conscience.
(to be continued next Sunday)
Today's reading: Ezekiel ch. 41